DO YOU SUFFER FROM ALLERGIES OR ASTHMA?

Allergy Consultants has 4 board certified allergists who see and treat patients of all ages with nasal
symptoms, asthma, sinus infections, food allergies, hives, eczema, stinging insect allergy,
anaphylaxis and drug allergy. We may be reached at 314-569-1881. Our allergists provide
the best possible medical care in a caring environment.

Click on the topics below to learn more about each condition, its related symptoms, and how it is treated.

An "allergy" is an abnormal reaction due to increased sensitivity to foreign substances called "allergens" which are harmless to others. The allergic reaction is
essentially an overreaction of one branch of the immune system which normally protects against infection.

An "allergen" may be inhaled, swallowed, touched or injected. Common allergens include pollens (grasses, trees, weeds), molds, house dust, dust mites, animal saliva
and dander (the skin which is shed even by animals which do not shed hair), foods, medication, chemicals, insect venoms, feathers and other household substances.

When the "allergens" enter the body, they react with cells called mast cells which contain lots of potent chemicals into the tissues causes swelling, increased
secretions, and tightening of the muscles in the area of the reaction. The symptoms of the allergy depend on the sensitivity of the individual, the amount of
allergen exposure, and the location of the allergic reaction in the body. The same substance may cause itchy, red eyes, sneezing, congestion and a runny nose;
hives; coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath; or abdominal pain and diarrhea.

The symptoms may be entirely seasonal if caused by certain pollens (trees and grasses in the spring; weeds in the late summer and early fall in this area.) They
may be year around if caused by an animal, dust mites or mold to which one is constantly exposed. Indoor dust and mold exposure is generally greater during the
colder months, when heat is on, and outdoor mold exposure is often greater in spring and much greater in fall.

While an allergy cannot be cured, it can be controlled. There are three general approaches to the treatment of allergy:

1. AVOIDANCE of the offending substance and nonspecific irritants known to worsen most respiratory or skin conditions. This is particularly important with allergy
to foods and pets. Smoke is an irritant which must always be avoided.

2. MEDICATION to control or prevent symptoms used either regularly or as needed when symptoms occur.

The word "rhinitis" comes from Latin. "rhin" means nasal and "itis" means inflammation. Therefore, a patient with rhinitis has nasal inflammation due to certain
substances that are being inhaled through the respiratory filter system—the nose. Symptoms may include any or all of the following: frequent or chronic runny nose,
nasal congestion, post nasal drainage, over production of mucous and phlegm, sinus headaches, sore throat & cough. All of these symptoms can create an environment
in the upper respiratory tract that makes the patient more prone to getting secondary bacterial sinus/ or ear infections.

There are two distinct types of rhinitis. The first is "allergic rhinitis." In this type of rhinitis the nasal lining is overreacting to harmless substances called
"allergens." The most common allergens are animal dander (skin flakes), dust mite particles, mold spores, and various pollen granules from trees, grasses, ragweed
and weeds. Patients with allergic rhinitis show many positive skin tests due to an allergic reaction of their immune system to the harmless substances (allergens).

The second type of rhinitis is "nonallergic" also known as "irritant rhinitis." The symptoms can look exactly like "allergic rhinitis" , but there are often no
positive skin tests detected. This type of rhinitis is due to extremely sensitive nasal lining that overreacts to many types of irritants. Examples of irritants
which often set off nasal symptoms include smoke, dust , smells and odors, perfumes, aerosol sprays, and changes in outdoor weather conditions (temperature and
barometric pressure). A patient's nasal symptoms may be exactly like those of a patient with allergic rhinitis. Only by doing skin testing and proving that
allergies are not present can one be sure of this diagnosis.

Treatment for many years for nonallergic rhinitis has utilized the same medications used for the allergic type of rhinitis with mixed results. Sometimes
antihistamines/or decongestants have helped and other times they have not improved patients' symptoms. Nasal sprays with steroids have proven beneficial in
some patients as well. Often, these medications have to be used on a daily preventative basis to control mucous production in order to decrease the frequency
of sinus and ear infections. More recently, a nasal spray that contains an antihistamine (Astelin) was studied and found to be the first medication that
actually was proven to be effective for nonallergic rhinitis. By spraying the antihistamine directly on the nasal tissue, high nasal tissue levels of antihistamine
can block the chemical histamine directly with less medication circulating through whole body.

There are relatively few side effects with the exception of sleepiness in some patients and nasal bleeding in others (probably due to the drying effects). Astelin
works within 1 hour to improve symptoms and lasts for about 12 hours. It may be used along with other medications as there are no drug interactions to be concerned
about. The major complaint with Astelin is that it tastes bad to some people when it drains down the back of the throat. By leaning the head forward when spraying
it, massaging it in with tissue, and several minutes later gently blowing out the excess, a lot less will drain down the throat. Also, chewing sugarless cinnamon
gum seems to numb the taste buds in order to allow the patient to comply with taking it. It is not addictive and can be taken for long periods of time or can
just be used in some patients on an "as needed basis."

Asthma is a chronic, inflammatory lung disease characterized by recurrent breathing problems. Patients who have asthma may experience one or more of the following
symptoms: wheezing, coughing, chest tightness or shortness of breath. Symptoms and severity can differ greatly from one person to another. Some people experience
occasional symptoms while others may have daily symptoms which can vary from mild to severe. Patients with more severe asthma may have a sudden onset of symptoms
that require emergency care.

Everyone has a series of air passages (bronchial tubes or airways) in the lungs resembling an upside down tree. The windpipe (trachea) divides into large branches to
the left and right lungs, and these large branches form progressively smaller branches all the way out to the edges of the lungs. Each branch has a thin blanket of
mucous lining the inside of the bronchial tube to help trap inhaled pollutants, germs and allergy particles (allergens). The bronchial tubes are also surrounded by
a layer of muscle. It is these bronchial tubes that are affected by asthma.

Asthma affects the breathing tubes (airways) of the lungs in three important ways:
1. Inflammation: This is characterized by swelling of the wall of the airway and increased mucous production. The inflammation of the airways makes them narrower for
air to flow through which may cause a wheezing or whistling sound.
2. Muscle constriction: The muscles surrounding the airway contract, further narrowing the airway.
3. Triggers: The airways become overly sensitive to a variety of triggers that worsen the inflammation and muscle contraction.

Click here for more information about managing asthma through environmental control.

2. Medications are the mainstay of treatment. Patients who experience symptoms more than three days a week usually require a preventative, or controller, maintenance
medication. People who experience occasional symptoms may require only a rescue inhaler to be used as needed. Patients with severe asthma may require two or more daily
medications to adequately control symptoms. Each patient should have a plan tailored to the frequency and severity of symptoms, and know what to do if symptoms worsen.

Commonly Prescribed Medications Include:

a. Inhaled Corticosteroids: These act directly by blocking the inflammatory response of the airways. These inhaled medications have far fewer side effects than oral
corticosteroids such as Orapred or Prednisone. Inhaled steroids are the most powerful and effective medications to reduce inflammation and are recommended by the
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute for patients who need daily anti-asthma medication (e.g. Pulmicort, Flovent, Asmanex, Advair, Symbicort).

Click here for more information about inhaled steroids.
Click here to learn more about Pulmicort Respules & Nebulizers.

b. Leukotriene Antagonists: These are non steroid oral medications that also prevent inflammation of the airways (e.g. Singulair). They may relieve nasal symptoms in
some patients.

c. Bronchodilators: These help to relax the muscles of the airways and open them. There are short acting, quick reliever or "rescue" forms (e.g. Albuterol, Maxair,
Xopenex) and long acting (e.g. Serevent, Foradil) forms of them. Bronchodilators provide temporary relief of symptoms but do not control the underlying inflammation.

d. Combination Inhaler Medications: Some products combine an inhaled steroid with a long acting bronchodilator, which is useful if anti-inflammatory therapy alone is
not effective at controlling symptoms or preventing flares or attacks (e.g. Advair, Symbicort). There is some evidence in the medical literature that the addition of
a long acting bronchodilator in a small percentage of children may be associated with an increase in asthma exacerbations. We trust that you would contact us immediately
if you suspect that your asthma symptoms worsen.

Asthma control: there is no cure for asthma, but it can be controlled. When asthma is well controlled, a person should be able to sleep all night without awakening,
exercise without symptoms, have good work/school attendance and avoid the need for emergency or urgent treatment. During each office visit there are certain questions
we ask that help us to decide if your asthma is optimally controlled.

• Doses of rescue medicine—ideally fewer than two doses per week for symptoms.
• Ability to sleep all night without using a rescue medicine.
• Ability to participate fully in exercise or activities that you choose (whether or not you require a preventative dose of an inhaler).
• Work/school attendance—not having to miss school or work because of asthma.
• Need for oral steroid medication to control an attack.
• Need for emergency or acute care.
• Infections or other illnesses that may impact asthma symptoms.
• Compliance with medications—ideally taking all doses of preventative medicines every day.

The classic symptoms of asthma include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. However, a chronic cough can be the main symptom or only symptom
of asthma in some patients. When a chronic cough is the major manifestation of asthma, it is referred to as "cough variant asthma."

Cough variant asthma is often unrecognized as asthma, because wheezing may not be present. "Recurrent croup" and "recurrent bronchitis" are often treated from episode
to episode only to realize later that the underlying problem was actually cough variant asthma. The symptoms may first begin after an upper respiratory tract infection
and then seem to "settle in the chest." A cough can be present day and night and can be forceful enough to provoke vomiting. This cough may have a "barking" or "honking"
sound and can persist for months or even years. The person may cough as frequently as every few seconds. Wheezing or other symptoms of asthma are not usually present.
Other conditions which can give similar symptoms to cough variant asthma include a chronic sinus infection, allergies with post nasal drainage, gastric acid reflux,
pertussis (whooping cough) and rarely, aspiration (choking) of a foreign body (for example a piece of a peanut).

Common triggering factors for cough variant asthma include exercise, respiratory tract infections and allergies, but many times, the triggering factors are unknown.
Most diagnostic tests including a chest x-ray will usually be normal. A measurable decrease in a lung function test may be noted, but can also be normal in many cases.
Occasionally, a special breathing test called a Methacholine Challenge Test must be set up at a hospital. During this test, the patient does repeated breathing tests
after inhaling gradually increasing concentrations of a substance called methacholine. This can conclusively prove the diagnosis of asthma. However, since it is time
consuming and somewhat expensive, it is not done regularly. It is usually more realistic to give the patient a trial on asthma medication instead.

Cough variant asthma responds to the same medications and treatments used to manage the more classic forms of asthma. It is important to understand the goals and
objectives of the treatment plan and discuss any problems with your physician.

Although food allergy reactions can be very scary, proper education, precautions and advanced planning will empower you to better protect your child and help prevent future serious allergic reactions.

We will review your child's tests, but by reading the following information, you will better understand about food allergies and anaphylaxis (a potential life threatening allergic reaction).

You will be provided with a written FOOD ALLERGY ACTION PLAN and an explanation which will tell you specifically when and how to use injectable epinephrine, also known as Epi Pen or Epi Pen Jr.

You should review this PLAN with relatives, babysitters, teachers and school nurses as well as the technique for using Epi Pen.

REMEMBER: PAST REACTIONS DO NOT PREDICT HOW SEVERE THE NEXT REACTION MIGHT BE!! Just because a child seemed to get better quickly with a dose of Benadryl, this CANNOT be counted on to occur next time.
There are several KEY POINTS that need to be fully understood and have changed the way experts now approach food allergy patients since new Food Allergy Guidelines were published in the fall of 2010. Not all Emergency physicians or ambulance EMTs, doctors or nurses are yet aware of these changes in the updated Guidelines.

1. If there has been a suspected INGESTION of a food to which your child is allergic and any body-wide (systemic) symptoms occur, Epi Pen or Epi Pen Jr should be given immediately without hesitation and then you should call 9-1-1!2. Benadryl is no longer recommended for allergic reactions due to food allergy INGESTIONS as it does NOT stop anaphylaxis (a potentially life threatening and rapidly progressive body-wide reaction).3. Benadryl may help a rash from a skin contact to a food allergen, but it takes 30 to 60 minutes to begin working. Always wash off any area on the skin where a food allergen has contacted.4. There is NO HARM in giving an Epi Pen or Epi Pen Jr for a suspected food allergy reaction. Fast heart beat and shakiness are major side effects for about 15 to 20 minutes, but failure to administer epinephrine injections or a delay has resulted in fatalities.5. You must have your child firmly in your grip or pinned down carefully when administering Epi Pen/Jr in order to keep the injection in place in the side of his/her leg for 5 to 10 seconds in order to absorb the best dose. Your child will naturally try to get away from the pain of the injection. The Epi Pen/Jr will have some medicine still in the vial even after administration.6. When EMTs arrive, always insist on being transported to the E.R. Stay at the E.R. a minimum of 4 hours for observation even if they attempt to reassure you he/she is fine and you can go home. Some patients just stay in the waiting room for the remainder of the 4 hours from the time of the reaction. The reason for waiting is that some patients improve at first and then have a relapse of the reaction called a "biphasic" reaction. Most experts agree that 4 hours of observation is reasonable, although there is no guarantee of a "biphasic" reaction later than 4 hours.7. The Expert Panel for the New Guidelines now suggests that ALL patients have TWO Epi Pen/Jrs everywhere the child is at all times. So, you will be provided with a prescription for TWO Epi Pen/Jrs "Two packs" which contains two injectable pens each and a demonstration device to practice on yourself and others. There are two reasons why two Epi Pens are necessary: 1) because if the child is getting worse despite the first injection while waiting for the EMTs to arrive, a second dose should be administered within 5 to 15 minutes and 2) any mechanical device could malfunction, so a second dose should always be available. 8. The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network is one of the best organizations for further education and support. Their information sheet on "How to read food labels" will be given to you today. Another excellent organization to check out is the Allergy and Asthma Network/Mothers of Asthmatics.

TREE NUT ALLERGY

1. If your child is allergic to even one of the "tree nuts," it is safest to avoid ALL tree nuts. This is mostly due to the fact that tree nut packaging plants' conveyor belts cross-contaminate making other tree nuts unsafe, too.2. Although there has been some controversy for patients with tree nut allergy as to whether or not to avoid coconut, many experts suggest avoiding it as well. Yes, technically, it is the "fruit of the palm tree."3. Tree nut allergy is not commonly "outgrown", but could be re-tested in our office in a few years to check on this.

PEANUT ALLERGY

1. Peanut allergy is probably the most serious of the food allergies in children in general. Any home in which the patient spends time should ideally be "PEANUT FREE", so that the child can not climb up and get to it accidently.2. Sunbutter (made from sunflower seeds, available in many groceries now) can be a substitute for other siblings or for peanut allergic children if you are careful to make sure they understand the difference between the Sunbutter YOU give them vs. the look alike, true peanut butter.3. There is an epidemic of peanut allergy in the U.S. in the last decade and NO ONE knows the reason(s) for this. Although, peanut allergy does not commonly occur in the family history, a family history of allergies or asthma in parents is common.4. Peanut allergies are not commonly outgrown (approximately 15 to 20 % of patients). Re-testing in our office in a year or two may be done.5. Although peanut is in the "legume family," it is uncommon for children in the U.S. to be allergic to other legumes such as peas, soy or beans.6. For those children with peanut allergy, the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network has stated that their experts feel that it would be very rare for a peanut allergic child to have a reaction to commercially available peanut oil, since it is 99.99% fat, and no significant protein. Protein is what causes allergic reactions, not fat. Some parents are more comfortable just avoiding peanut oil, however.

MILK AND EGG ALLERGY

1. For those children who are allergic to milk or eggs, we often hear from their parents that the child eats foods "baked" with one or more of these ingredients without any reaction. However, they can not drink cow's milk directly or eat scrambled eggs. Diluting out the allergic protein or heating it for an extended time may make it safe for some, but not all patients. One must still be cautious when ingesting foods to which the patient is allergic. Discuss your individual case with your doctor.2. Lactose free milk (Lactaid) is NOT safe for patients with milk allergy as it contains casein (cow's milk protein).3. Egg beaters or "egg substitutes" usually contain egg white protein (most commonly ovalbumin, the most allergic protein in eggs), but just not egg yolk for those with cholesterol problems. Avoid these substitutes.4. Flu vaccines contain such a minimal amount of egg protein these days that it is rarely a reason not to get the flu shot. Ask your doctor if there is any question first.

EPI PEN/JRs:

1. Practice using the Epi Pen demonstration device so that in an emergency, you will react quickly and with confidence. Make certain that teachers, sitters and grandparents practice it too and review the Food Allergy Action Plan.2. Epi Pens should be stored at room temperature and NOT in a car where the temperature can get extremely hot or cold (and freeze the medication).3. If you find that the medication looks cloudy, show your doctor and do not use it. It can be safely disposed of at your physician's office as can expired Epi Pens.4. Register your Epi Pen/Jrs at www.myepipen.com and you will be notified when they are due to expire.